Feltmaking Workshops - Northern Rivers - Nimbin
Felting class April 2012
Feltmaking Workshops/Far North Coast NSW/Nimbin
felted objects
’Black Sheep Farm’ Nimbin/Lismore/Northern Rivers NSW -
Learn how to felt and make a nice wrap, pillow case,warm slippers, table runner, hot water bottle cover, tea cosy, nuno felted scarf or a beautiful wall hanging !
Next Felting Class
to be announced - possibly in August 2012
$80 incl. all materials and morning tea
For inquiries or if you are a group of people and wish to attend a felting class - please get in contact with Suzanne.
"Black Sheep Farm" - Nimbin is situated in the Northern Rivers area/Far North Coast NSW - about 40 minutes from Lismore or 60 minutes from Murwillumbah.
If you wish to have accommodation in our beautiful "Guest House" or the "Cottage" please check for availability. Make it a Craft Holiday Weekend.
For more information and bookings please ring us on 02 6689 1095 or press http://www.blacksheepfarm.com.au/nimbin/contact/3
Suzanne
Introduction
Felting Class March 2012
This is what is typically taught in a Felt Making Workshop:
Introduction to Felt Making:
This Workshop is designed to introduce the basic techniques used to make felt.
By building up layers of wool and felting the fibres with soap and water we will be making a unique and durable fabric.
Using this process we can create an open weave, lace like fabric or a sturdy firm piece of colourful felted fibre.
This workshop will be an opportunity to explore colour combinations, surface design and embellishments that can be incorporated into the felt without sewing.
The first part of the day will be used to design and lay out the coloured wool and to embellish the surface of the wool.
In the afternoon the actual felting process will take place, wetting and rolling the wool. Materials will include Merino wool tops in a wide range of colours, hand spun wool, tussah, silk, mohair, and exotic threads and fibres.
Feel free to bring any fibres that inspire you such as lace, threads, wool or silk.
A History of Felting Fibers
Felt is a fabric which is created by rubbing wool, or another animal hair, so that it mats. At a microscopic level, tiny scales on the surfaces of the individual fibers become tangled and locked together. Since ancient times, people have made felt using a variety of methods, and it may have been the earliest textile invented by humans. As well as agitating the fibers, felt makers may also use water, heat or changes in pH to help the process. Although it has such a long history, felt making only became known in the Western world relatively recently and the craft is undergoing a resurgence in popularity.
The Origins and History of Felt
There is evidence that most people throughout history who kept sheep, or similar animals, created and used felt. Even so, felt making was more popular in some parts of the world than others. Archaeologists are unable to assess the full extent of felt making because the fabric is prone to rotting and its manufacture does not require any specific equipment. There is a small amount of evidence showing that the Celts made felt during the Iron Age, but there is no way of assessing how much they actually used felt in their culture. The full story of felt making in Europe remains unknown, although accessories such as felt hats have been recorded at various times throughout European history.
Felt Making in Central Asia
In Central Asia, it is known that felt was created as far back as the Bronze Age. Countries such as Turkey, Mongolia and Turkmenistan became renowned for felt making, with reports of many felt items being manufactured. These included clothing, bedding, rugs and tents. Nomads found that felt could protect them from bad weather better than animal skins had done; it kept out most of the wind and enough of the rain for survival. In addition, it was light to carry, which made it perfect for tent manufacture. In fact, some of the felt garments which are still worn by shepherds today resemble personal tents.
Unlike weaving, felt making did not require bulky equipment, which was important for people who traveled great distances on horseback. In fact, one simple felting method involved placing fleece beneath the saddle at the start of a day's ride. There was also the advantage that the wool needed for felting came from sheep, creatures which could easily travel along with the nomads. A flock of sheep ensured a renewable and fast-growing supply of wool, and the animals could also be eaten if necessary.
Wet Felting
During the felting process, as individual strands of wool are rubbed or rolled against one another, the tiny scales along adjacent hairs lock together. The mass of wool gradually shrinks into one solid, matted piece. Anything which makes the scales open up can make the process easier and quicker. Some felt makers achieve this by immersing the wool in water. The best results are achieved by plunging the wool into hot water then cold water, repeatedly. This procedure is known as “shocking.” Changing the pH using soap also speeds up the felting process. The amount of abrasion can be increased by using a washing board. If using a washing machine, a top-loading model allows felt makers to remove items at intervals to check their progress. Items which are too big to fit in a washing machine, or on a board, can be placed in a basin full of hot water and agitated using a toilet plunger.
Suzanne's Gallery
Born and bred in Germany Suzanne has been living in Nimbin for the last 10 years. Having painted and making ceramics since childhood, a brief stint at Lismore TAFE for Fine Arts set the tone for a creative life at ‘Black Sheep Farm’.
Finding time to continue painting became more difficult when her two daughters Keera and Ruby were born. After an opportunity to attend some felt making Workshops she was hooked.
Slowly her own style of “painting” with wool emerged and the meditative process became essential to balance work and motherhood.
Starting her own daughters on felting at a young age Suzanne initiated Workshops for kids at “Black Sheep Farm” Learning Centre. Most felt creations are completed in a one day Workshop, and soon there was enough demand to start creative felt making Workshops for adults.
Location
Black Sheep Farm " Learning and Workshop Center
6kms from Nimbin up in the Rainforest hills
"Black Sheep Farm" Felting Classes
449A Gungas Rd
Nimbin NSW 2480
Far North Coast NSW
Northern Rivers NSW
nearby Lismore NSW